Walter Reynolds Farley

Ren earned his A.B. from Notre Dame in 1960 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from university of Chicago. After 3 years at Duke he joined the University of Michigan in 1967 and stayed for the rest of his career. He became the Otis Dudley Ducnan Professor of Sociology, chaired the Sociology department several times and was a longtime research scientist at the Population Studies Center. He served as president of the Population Association of America and was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His books, including “Blacks and Whites: Narrowing the Gap?”, “ The New American Reality” and “Detroit Divided” shaped how a generation understood race, segregation, and the American population. He testified before Congress, advised on school desegregation plans in Los Angeles and Chicago, and helped the Census Bureau rethink how it asks Americans about race.

He was just as dedicated in the classroom, teaching both undergraduates and graduate students. At the end of his career he taught a course on the history and future of Detroit at the Ford School of Business. During his teaching career he made complicated ideas clear and accessible. He never made anyone feel uninformed and there was no question he would not entertain. Students and colleagues walked away realizing how much he knew about everything.

Despite his many career accomplishments, when Gail asked him what he was proudest of, he pointed to other areas of interest. He was thrilled to recall he was among the last passengers to board the Akron, Canton and Youngstown train across northern Ohio. Trains were a lifetime passion and he spent many happy hours finding and documenting old train stations in Michigan. Also a lifetime baseball fan, he was pleased to have seen Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees in the 1956 World Series, which remains the only one in Series history. An avid runner , he competed in 31 marathons, running his best in three hours and six minutes.

He married Gail, the love of his life, om September 11,1965. In their 61 years together they travelled the world, especially France’s far-flung overseas territories. Ren had a special spot in his heart for Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean. Together they gave many parties, particularly an annual Goat Roast. Reh was especially gifted at making pies. He also shared Gail’s interest in raising puppies who would become service dogs. Together they raised eight.

Ren was a mischievous man with a strong sense of humor. He once spent an entire meeting of the Population Association wearing a banner that said “Ask Me About the American People” and they did.

Ren was a great scholar , a good man and a wonderful friend. Those knew him would agree that he was never the dullest person in the room.

He is survived by his wife, Gail. At a later date there will be a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to Canine Companions, North Central Region,7480 New Albany-Condit Road,New Albany ,OH, 43054.